Celebrating Path to Confederation youGO if

The third annual Path to Confederation Garden Party will be hosted by the Cornwallis Community Gardens Association Aug. 17 from 2-3:30 p.m. – and everyone is invited.

Started in 2014, the aim of the Path to Confederation garden parties historical and heritage project is to commemorate various events that occurred in the four years leading up to Confederation on July 1, 1867.

“It is important to learn about, and commemorate, the steps taken almost 150 years ago that led to the creation of our great country,” said Elizabeth McMichael, general manager of the Cornwallis Community Gardens Association.

The four-year project will culminate in 2017 - Canada’s 150th birthday.

Attendees will also have the chance to take in the Cornwallis Community Gardens, which contains more than 30 standard raised garden beds, plus six higher-raised beds for the convenience of those in wheelchairs or who have challenges that require standing up planting and harvesting.

Another innovative feature introduced this year is the planting of various crops in a multi-storey hay-bale garden. In addition, there are four compost operations of various sizes employing individual techniques.

Contained in the main garden and in the adjoining orchard are blueberry, currant, and gooseberry bushes, grape vines, nectarine, cherry, and peach trees. All of these are accompanied by 10 apple trees.

Trip back in time

McMichael said wearing period costume is optional but many have been seen and admired in the parties of 2014 and 2015. Food served at the event is derived from 1860s-era recipes obtained from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island provincial archives and from cookbooks in the libraries of local residents. But McMichael is also issuing an invitation anyone with historical recipes from this period to send them to her.

“Or, better still, if possible, bake the items according to the historical documents and bring them to the garden party,” she said.

Excerpts from a hand-written PEI 1860s cookbook will be on display as well as recipes from other decades of the 19th century.

The Annapolis County Crier, Peter Davies, will announce the start of the occasion.